Folding extension table



Jul 27, 1937. A. HENDRICKS 2,088,518

FOLDING EXTENSION TABLE Filed July 10, 1955 s Sheets-Sheet 1 I x6z mf5 ATTORNEY July 27, 1937 A. o. HENDRICKS 2,088,518

FOLDING EXTENSION TABLE F1193 July 10, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY July 27, 1 937.

A. o. HENDRICKS FOLDING EXTENSION TABLE Filed July 10, 1935 3 Shee'ts-Sheet 3 /74'6%@ Q flefldrim amm Patented July 27, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDING EXTENSION TABLE Alpha 0.-.Hendricks, Manistee, Application July 10, 1935, Scrial,No. 30,706 Claims. 01. 311-97) My invention relates to improvements in tables, particularly, folding extension tables.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a table adapted 'for a wide range of adjust- 5 ments as regards both length and height so that it is especially adapted for use on uneven ground and which isfoldable into compact boxlike form for transportation or storage to conceal the legs to present a neat outside appearance.

Another object is to'provide a table equipped with telescopic legs of metal hinged to the table for folding thereunder and substantially enclosed when the table is folded so that they are practically concealed from view.

Other objects are to provide a table of the above specified type which is strongly constructed, readily folded, and unfolded, and in which all parts are securely held in either their folded or unfolded positions.

Still other and subordinate objects will appear when the following description and claims are read with reference to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification.

In said drawings:

25 Figure l is a view in end elevation of a table constructed according to my invention, parts being broken away and being shown in section, and the table being shown in unfolded position.

Figure 2 is a view in end elevation illustrating 30 the table as it appears when folded. v

' Figure 3 is a view in vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, the parts being shown in unfolded position,

35 Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 with the table parts shown in folded position.

Figure 5 is a View in top plan of one of the legs of the table.

Figure 6 isa view in side elevation of a blank 40 from which a part of the table leg is formed.

Fi ure 7 is a similar view of another part of the table leg.

Figure8 is a view in horizontal section taken on the line 88 of Figure 3 looking in the direc 45 tion indicated by the arrows and drawn to an enlarged scale.

v Figure 9 is a fragmentary view in vertical section taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 8.

' Figure 10 is a view in transverse section taken 50 on the line l0lll of Figure 3 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section taken on the line llll of Figure 3, looking in the direction indicated by the 55 arrows.

Figure 12 is a detailed view in side 'elevationoff a locking member, one of which is associated with each of the table legs.

Figure 13 is a view in top plan of a swinging leaf supporting 'bracket with which the table is 5, equipped.

Figure 14 is a view in top plan of a limiting latch associated with said bracket,

' Figure 15 is a view in edge elevation of saidlatch member. s v 0.

Figure 16 is a perspective view of a limiting stop member for said bracket;

Figures 17 and 18 are detailed views illustrating the relation of the latch and stop members to said bracket member, respectively, and 5- Figure 19 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper end of the lower leg section I3.

Figure 20 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the leg members removed from the top. p f

Fig. 21 is a detail side elevation of the leg shown 20 in Fig, 20.

Figure 22 is an enlarged fragmentarysectional view taken on the line 22-22 of Fig. 20'.

In its illustrated embodiment, the table of my invention comprises a tabletop I, side members 25 2, and end members 3 forming a substantially rectangular open bottom, structure. The top I may be secured to the side and end members by any suitable means, for instance, as by brackets 3'. A pair of inner leaves 4 are suitably hinged to the side members 2,. as at 5, and a pair of outer leaves 6 are hinged, as at 1, to the'outer'side edges of the leaves 4 respectively. The leaves 4' and-6 and the hinges 5 and 1 are arranged so that said leaves may be swung upwardly to form butt' joints therebetween and between the inner leaves and the table top' I. The inner leaves 4 are of a proper width to foldv down against the side members 2 with their outer edges flush with the lower edges of the latter so that the outer leaves 6 may 40 be folded under the table parallel with the table top 'I'. The'width of the outer leaves 6 is such: that they substantially close the space between the side and end members 2 and '3. At suitable points adjacent their ends andintermediate the same, the leaves 6 ar'e'p'rovided with transverse" i reinforcing cleats 8'.

Adjacent each corner of the table arecleats 9 suitably secured to the under side of the top I and to the inner sides of the members 3, and to which .are hinged, as at I0, corner legs [I swingable on said hinges to fold up toward the table top l in the space between the members" 2 and 3. Each "leg ll comprises an upper sec tionv I2 and a lower section l3 telescoping in the Q5 upper section, each section being triangular transversely and constructed as follows:

The upper section I2 comprises an outer plate I4 substantially right angular in cross section, 5 an inner. substantially flat plate I5, and an angle bracket I'I projecting laterally from the outer plate I4 on one side of said section and including a socket I8 for a purpose presently clear. The legs II at opposite ends of the table, are connected together for movement in unison by bars II' secured in the sockets I8 of the appropriate brackets I! by bolts I8. The plate I4 and bracket H are formed from a single piece of suitable flat metal, a blank of which is shown in Figure 6, having a lower portion a,

provided with converging side edges I8, shortedge wings 21 and end wings 28 having purposes presently seen, a portion 1), above the portion a, having curvilinear edges above theportion b, somewhat reduced in width afscornpared with the portion b. The portions a, bjand c', are bent along the'lon'git'u'dinal center of the piece of metal, as represented by the dot and dash line ti d in Figure 6, to form the sides 25 of the plate I4 whereby 'said'plat'e presents a leg substantially of mutton shape as will be clearf'Projecting from the upper edge of the portion 0, is aflap portion e, adapted to be bent over at right angles to the portion 0, along the dotted line f-f, to form a top forthe leg sectron I2 and having a notched edge I9 adapted to ,be bent over to form a "part of the hinge I0.

Extendingflfrom thefiap portion e, is a group of porti'ons g,f'"i,'"and k,respectively;of a suitable .l shape forcutting 'and'bending into the form of the -angle bracketll andsocket I8. At suitable points theportionsk' andg are provided respectively with tabs '20 and apertiires '2I inwhich said tabs are .designed tobe inserted: and bent to over'to hold the portion 70, "in shapedlposition. The. portion 0, is provided with a flap portion 23' designed to be bent on the inside of the sec.- tion l2'to form a le dg'e 23 of a triplethickness H of the metal for apurp'ose presently explained.

45 Saidportion c; is also provided along one edge thereof, with a wing portion" i24,"tabs' 25 atits' opposite edges, and tabs 26jon said wing portion,

the former to be bent over the inner plate I5 to attach thelatter to the plate I4, as willpresently 50 more clearly appear.

The inner plate I5 is likewise formed of a single piecefof flat, metal, aflblank of which is shown in Figure '7, and comprising edge wing portions 29,incut'edg' es3l3at its upper end, and 5'5 a'lower end wing 3I.'The inner plate 15 is adapted to be bent. along the dotted lines 32 and 33 and out along a line 34 to fit within the outer plate I4. The wings 21 of the plate' I4 are thencrimped around the lower end of the plate I5, 1 the tabs 23, right, and 25, left .of said plate I4 are bent downwardly overlthe incut edges and the tabs 26 interlocked with the related apertures 2I in'the por'tionjg. The portions28 andf3l' are bent,v as shown in FiguraQ, toform 5'5abead 34' around thelower end of the section I2""for receivinga rubber bearing member 35 upon which the lower section l3 may slide, to prevent the samefrom being marred by scraping against the cinner face of the upper section 7 I2. At its upper end the lower section "I3 is formed on at least two sides thereof with a flange' 34" for spacing the upper end of said section from the (upper section I2 to further prevent 'marring of thejlower section.

f The lower section I3'of the legs "II- 1s formed I6 and a portion c of a single piece of fiat metal bent upon itself, as shown in Figure 10, into transversely triangular shape conforming to that of the section I2 and to provide a central partition 36 in said section l3 and an external longitudinally extending groove 31 tapering equally, with respect to its depth and width, from top to bottom. The plate I5 of the section I2 is provided with pairs of opposed ears 38 to clamp therebetween a strip 39 in which are threaded conically .pointed wing bolts 48 for cooperation'with the groove 31 to hold the sections I2 and I3 in different adjusted positions. A cappiece 4| is secured to the lower end of the plate I4 of the section I2, in apertures 42 in said plate, to conceal the angle of the section at this point and for ornamental purposes. The lower leg sections are formed at their lower ends with outwardly flaring sockets I37 in which are secured non-skid rubber feet I4.

In forming the upper legsection the first step is to bend the opposite sides, of the portion 2' upwardly as viewed in Figure 16 at rightangles to the blank along the dotted lines 7'7" and 'n-'-n.' The extreme left hand side of the por-. tion 1' is then bent along the line mm at a right angle over the remainder of theport'ion i which operation turns the portion over the portion 9. In this position of the parts the tabs 20 'on theleft hand edge of the portion 1' will be'in position to be clinched in the apertures 2| in the right hand edge of said portion to'fonn the socket I8. Next the socket I8 thus formed is bent upwardly on the dotted lineh-h at a right angle to the portion g, the adjacent end of the, socket I8 being brought to bear squarely upon the upper end of the portion g. 'Next, both sides:

of the portion 7a are bent upwardly at right 'the tabs 26 bent backwardly, or upwardly at right angles to the wing 24 and the tab 25 left bent "downwardly at right angles tothe portion b. "This operationforms ai'support I9"for the socket I8 as shown in Figure 11. The portions a; 'b," and cmay now be bent downwardly longitudinally along the dotted line dd to form a right angle therewith. Next the portion 6 is bent on the line ,f-f and similarly the portion gis bent along'the dotted line 'p-ep thus bringing the adjacent left hand edges ofthe .portionsc and 9 together. The wing portion 24 will now be underneath the adjacent edge of the por tion 9 and the tabs 26 may be inserted into and clinched in appropriate apertures 2I .inthe por tion g. The flap portion 22 is now turned over at. a slight angle on the dotted line, indicated in Figure 6, to bring its upper edge into engagement with and slightly under the projecting edge -zof the portion e. The latter is 'thenclinched downward over the flap 22 thus forming abevel edge opposite the hinged portion I9 affording necessary clearance for folding and unfolding the table leg. The'hinged portion I9 is downwardly in right angles to the portion e on the dotted line shown in said figure to form the hinge eyelets.

The next step is the formation of the plate l5 and its assembly with the plate M. The plate I5 is bent along the dotted lines shown in Figure 7 and out On the line 34 to conform to the shape of the partially shaped upper section [2 and placed in the latter with the upper and lower ends of said sections directly align-ed thus bringing all corresponding parts in the proper position. The edge wings 21 of the plate I4, are then bent over the corresponding edges of the plate l5 and the tab 23' of the plate I4 bent downwardly over the shoulder 30 of the plate [5. The tab 25 right is now bent over the adjacent upright edge of the plate I5. The lower end wings 28 and 3| may now be bent into the proper shape to hold the rubber bearing member 35 and the ends of the wing 28 folded over the wing 3| for subsequent welding thereto. The cap piece 4| is next secured by suitable tabs thereon in the apertures 42 in the plate M by welding said tabs. The strip 39 is secured between the ears v 38 to receive the wing bolts 46 for incorporation with the groove 3? in the lower section I3. This completes the formation of the upper section l2 of the table leg.

Associated with the legs II are looking members 43. Each locking member comprises a channel plate of flat metal hinged to the under side of the table top I, as at 44, for movement about an axis at a right angle to that of the hinge l6, and above the latter, so that said member 43 may be swung to an unlocking position intermediate the leg and the table top when said leg is folded, or, swung in the opposite direction to position its lower end over the beforementioned ledge 23 of the leg section 52. Said member 43 is provided with a lip 45 for cooperation with the ledge 23 in the locking position of said member. Each locking member 43 is provided with a latching element 46 pivoted in the sides 41 of said member 43 and designed, in the locking position of the member, to project through the adjacent side member 2 through a bayonet slot 48 in a plate 49 secured to said member 2 in which slot the element 46 is manually manipulative to latch the locking member in looking position. The locking member 43 is formed of a single piece of flat metal, a blank of which is shown in dot and dash lines in Figure 12, and comprising a main portion 71., side wing portions 2', designed to be bent into right angular relation to the portion h and flap portions 7, designed to be bent and crimped upon themselves to provide reinforced bearings for the latch element 46.

Referring to the use of the invention as so far described, assuming the parts to be in unfolded position, tovary the height of the table it is merely necessary to manipulate the wing bolts 46 to elongate or shorten the legs II as desired, by moving the section l3 in section l2 and adjusting the said bolts to clamping positions. To fold the legs the locking members 43 are first released by manipulating the latching elements 46 so that the latter may be withdrawn through the plates 49 and side members 2. Said members 43 are then swung toward the table top I to unlatching position. The legs II at one end of the table are then swung, inwardly of the table, on their hinges [8 into engagement with the table top- I, and the other legs are then similarly swung into engagement with the first folded legs, all as shown in Figure 4. The leaves 4 and 6 after being released from extended position, as

and to fold the outer leaves 6 under said-side members 2 and the end members 3, as shown-in Figure 2.

connected toa central cleat 5| on the under sideof the table top 1 and adapted to engage eyelets 52 in the leaves 6. Preferably the hooks 54 are arranged to extend in crossed relation when "engaged with the eyelet 52 so that they are more easily manipulated through a space between the. folded leaves 6. When not so used the hooks-56 may be engaged with eyelets 56 in the sides 2 supporting brackets 53, respectively, pivo-tally' mounted, as at 54, on the side members 2 to swingfiat against the latter in end-toend positionor outwardly into extended positions beneath the leaves 4 and 6. Each bracket 53 is formed ofa single piece of metal, substantially triangular in shape, bent upon itself to provide hinge eyelets 55 and opposed channeled sections 56 connected together at their free ends by an ear 51' on' 'one portion 56 projecting through a larger aperture 58 in the other portion and a second ear 59 pro? jecting from said one portion through an aperture '60 in said other portion. Connected to the ear 51 of one bracket of each pair is a hook member 6| adapted in its idle position torest upon the ear 59 of said bracket, as shown in Figure 13, and

designed to hook intothe ear 5'! of the other, bracket of the pair tohold said brackets in out-' wardly swung position. The brackets 53 are of the requisite length so that when they are swung at right angles to the members 2 they will support the leaves 4 and 6 in extended position and the hooks 6| are of a proper length so that the brackets of each pair may be coupled together in an intermediate position in which they extend to the outer edges of the leaves 4 only so that the leaves 6 may occupy pendant position as shown for instance in Figure 1. By virtue of this arrangement the width of the table may be increased by the width of either one or both of the leaves 4 or by either one or both of said leaves 4 and one of the leaves 6, or by the over all width of all of the leaves. It may be stated that in their fully extended position the brackets 53 are designed to underlie the beforementioned end cleats 8 and to be latched thereto by the following means. Secured to the said end cleats 8 are spring clips 62, Figures 14 and 15, each having a resilient tongue 63 designed to enter the beforementioned aperture 58 in the bracket 53 with a snap action. Associated with each bracket 53 is a stop member 64 secured to the cleat 8 with which the bracket is related and having a depending rigid tongue 65 designed to enter an aperture 66 in the bracket. The purpose of this arrangement is to prevent the leaves 4 and 6 from buckling upwardly at the joints therebetween. It will be understood of course that the relation of the hinges 54 of the brackets 53 to the hinges 5 of the leaves 4, or vice versa, is such that when said brackets are swung flat against the side of the table, the leaves 4 may be folded substantially flat against said sides.

The manner in which the brackets 53 and the leaves 4 and 6 are manipulated to fold and unfold the table will, it is thought, be clear from presently described, are then swung to-rposition the inner leaves 4 along side of the members 2- Said leaves 6 are then latched in folded position by means of hooks 50 pivotally To add strength to the hooks 50 the foregoing and therefore requires no further explanation.

, The foregoing is a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of my invention, but; it is to. beunderstood that right is herein reserved to modifications and changes falling fairly within thescope of the claims. appended hereto.

What I claim is:

1. A table leg comprising, upper and lower telescoping sections of triangular shape in crosssection, the upper section including a sheet metal plate bent upon itself into right angular formation to form two side walls for said section and a flatsheet metal plate secured between said side walls to form the other side wall of said section, hinge eyelets carried by the upper section below the upper end thereof, the lower section comprising a single piece of sheet metal bent upon itself to form the side walls of said lower section and a longitudinally extending strengthening partition in said section extending across the same.

2. A table leg comprising, upper and lower telescoping sections of triangular shape in crosssection, the upper section including a sheet metal plate bent upon itself into right angular form to provide two side walls for said section, hinge eyelets carried by the upper section, and a fiat sheet metal plate secured between said side walls and forming the other side of said section, the lower section comprising a single piece of sheet metal bent upon itself to form the side walls of said lower section and a longitudinally extending central groove in one side wall thereof, and a strengthening partition in said lower section extending from said groove across said section.

3. A table leg comprising, upper and lower telescoping sections of triangular shape in crosssection, the upper section including a sheet metal plate bent upon itself into right angular form to provide two side walls for said section, hinge eyelets carried by the upper section, and a flat sheet metal plate secured between said side walls and forming the other side of said section, the lower section comprising a single piece of sheet metal bent upon itself to form the side walls of said lower section and a longitudinally extending central groove in one side wall thereof, and a strengthening partition in said lower section extending from said groove across said section, said upper section having opposed ears thereon, a block clamped to said section by said ears, and a set screw threaded into said block and through said upper section for cooperation with the groove in the lower section to secure said sections against telescoping movement.

4. A table leg comprising upper and lower telescoping sections of triangular shape in crosssection, the upper section including side walls, a top portion provided with hinge eyelets, and a laterally projecting bracket comprising angularly related hollow arms and a socket therein, and all formed of a single piece of sheet metal bent upon itself.

5. A table leg comprising upper and lower hollow telescoping sections of triangular form in cross-section, the upper section'having an internal-groove around its lower end, hinge eyelets carried by the upper section below the upper end thereof, and a resilient anti-friction member in said groove and surrounding said inner section.

' ALPHA O. HENDRICKS. 

